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Theresa May’s deputy has insisted that a “chaotic Brexit" was in no-one’s interest and described the Chequers deal as a pragmatic way forward.

David Lidington, the Cabinet Office Minister, said the UK Government was “absolutely determined” to get a good deal and was 80 per cent of the way towards negotiating the text of the withdrawal agreement.

Speaking in Edinburgh as UK ministers published a series of technical notices advising businesses and the public on how to prepare for a no-deal Brexit, he claimed the signs were encouraging.

It was in the best interests of all parts of the UK to secure a deal with the European Union based on the Prime Minister’s plan, which agreed at Chequers last month, he added, while claiming that the future of the Union would not be jeopardised in the event of a no-deal outcome.

Mr Lidington said the publication of the technical notices should not be taken as a sign that the UK government expected such an outcome.

He also admitted that the October deadline for a Brexit deal to be agreed could slip until the end of this year.

Michael Russell said Scotland was facing a no deal nightmareCredit:
Reuters

But he insisted ministers were making progress and remained “optimistic about there being a good deal agreed in the autumn of this year”.

He also said he did not expect Britain to leave the EU beyond the agreed date of March 29 next year, as it was not practical or desirable for a range of reasons to go beyond that deadline.

Mr Lidington said the UK Government was “absolutely determined” to get a deal that worked well for all parts of the UK, adding: “I think that the merits of the union of the United Kingdom are still there and are still very powerful and persuasive regardless of the outcome to the European negotiations.

“…if you look at this just in crude business and economic terms I think the value to Scotland of the single market of the United Kingdom, the ability to buy and sell in every part of the United Kingdom, is something that is of huge value to businesses and customers in Scotland."

I think that the merits of the union of the United Kingdom are still there and are still very powerful and persuasive regardless of the outcome to the European negotiationsDavid Lidington

He claimed Brexit discussions with the devolved administrations were "constructive and business-like", with Scottish and Welsh ministers given input into the technical notices.

He added that in devolved areas such as agricultural policy, the technical notices "will actually flag ... this is the responsibility of the Scottish Government, and the Scottish Government is setting out how it proposes to deal with this area of policy in the future".

"The texts of the TNs certainly went to the devolved governments for comment and in the case of certain technical notices they were amended by us as a result of comments from either Scotland or Wales," he added.

He added: “From the bureaucratic burden that will be imposed on EU imports and exports to the need to strike a wide range of ‘no deal’ deals before the end of March, these notices only add to the uncertainty surrounding Brexit.

“People want to know if their medication will still be available and farmers and fishermen want to know if they will still be able to sell their products.”

He said the UK Government should rule out a disastrous “no deal” and focus on securing the “best” outcome, which would involved remaining part of the single market and customs union.